KOCHI

ken (prefecture), southern Shikoku, Japan, stretching in an arc around Tosa Bay of the Pacific Ocean. It is the largest prefecture on the island, with an area of 2,744 square miles (7,107 square km). The population is concentrated on the Tosa plain, which, except on the south, is surrounded by mountains. Although it is isolated by poor communications, there is a railway from Kochi, the prefectural capital, to Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, on the Inland Sea, and air service to Osaka and Tokyo on Honshu. Chief products are agricultural machinery and implements, coral, processed seafood (especially dried bonito), paper, and raw silk. Kochi city, at the head of Urado-wan, was the capital of former Tosa province. Kochi Castle, constructed in 1603 and restored in the 18th century after its destruction by fire, is considered one of the most elegant in Japan. Pop. (1983 est.) city, 304,834; prefecture, 835,000.